TCGirl found this very interesting video told by a young woman, Taylor Morris, who used to be autistic. She seems highly capable and communicative now, more than most people in fact, and it's nice to see that the condition can change, I didn't believe it could.
"I love being able to say that I'm a successful person, and I'm not a normal one."
Indeed. Many people, not the least kids, are scared of not being "normal". But nobody is normal. And appearing normal is a lot of work, for no reason.
It's great when you get this rare phenomenon of a person who can explain something about her and a group of people, which they normally can't communicate.
23 comments:
Thank you TC and EO. Watching this certainly gave me a different look into this occurrence in humanity. A good one at that.
This young lady is amazingly articulate and brings up some great insights. She's quite correct - pure communication is the key to it all.
Thanks.
Maybe someone should give her a camera so she can express herself visually as well. EO could donate one of his... (just kidding, Eolake)
"amazingly articulate" is about right!
I think you did already know this was possible. You posted a video of Temple Grandin not that long ago where she talks about this kind of thing. The key is that her mother never gave in to it - forced her daughter to do things, including going to a normal school. This kid can't have been severely autistic, though, or improvement on this scale would have taken longer.
Thanks, Miguel - it's fantastic to have an expert in the group here.
"can't have been severely autistic"
is a pretty empty opinion and doesn't acknowledge the capacity for human recovery.
Better hurry, Miguel, before two more beans fall through the grill...
Eolake said...
"...who used to be autistic."
Still is. Has just learned "cues"...much like Daniel Tammet describes learning, in his first book 'Born on a Blue Day.'
"It's great when you get this rare phenomenon of a person who can explain something about her and a group of people, which they normally can't communicate."
Yes...one of the key reasons that I read Daniel's book and am now reading his second book 'Embracing the Wide Sky.
Tommy said...
"Thank you TC..."
You're welcome, Tommy. (and, yes...thank you, Eo, for posting it; I appreciate that. :-) I've been spending a little time doing research on both and was greatly encouraged by her vid. It is actually astounding to realize how common this condition has become and also to realize that some traits exhibited in adults are defined within these two conditions.
Last week, I was also made aware of the peculiar phenomena of the onset of autism being caused by allergies! I shall be reading 'Say Goodbye to Allergy-Related Autism.
Robb in Houston said...
"This young lady is amazingly articulate and brings up some great insights."
Yes...she is a very bright young lady and her piece was extremely helpful. I found more vids on her website, referred to, in the vid, further down on this comment posting. I just sat and watched the entire lot of them! TONS of wonderful information. I encourage all to go through them; see if you recognize "someone" in them and be better able to understand self and others; I know that it has definitely helped me. :-) (Miguel...there's even one of Temple amongst them. :-)
"She's quite correct - pure communication is the key to it all."
I totally agree: IF there is a willingness to work on an issue that is causing a person frustration or repeated "episodes," and IF there is someone who that person is willing to communicate with, I believe MUCH can be accomplished.
"Thanks."
I'm just glad that Eo posted it and that you found it helpful.
Miguel Sanchez said...
"This kid can't have been severely autistic, though, or improvement on this scale would have taken longer."
Here you go (mmm...baby feet...SO SWEET! :-), 'Dr. Sanchez;' I'll let you make your own assessment. ;-)
TC[Girl]: thanks for your analysis and post; I think you nailed it down perfectly.
Dr. Sanchez: You.... ah, never mind. Not worth talking to an eggplant.
I see a misconception throughout these posts: that autism is an illness. It's not; it's a way of being, or maybe a condition.
My best friend has worked with autistic children and young adults for over 15 years, and my sister, as a psychologist, has worked with these children during various stages in her career. I say this for the benefit of Robb, so he doesn't pounce on Dr Miserere :-)
I've spoken to them a lot about autism because I find it fascinating, and the one thing they've made clear is that you can't "cure" it, all you can do is help the affected learn to cope with life within our society. Depending on the level of autism, this might not be possible, ever, and that individual will need assistance for the rest of his/her life.
A very good film on the subject is Adam, which shows an Aspergers sufferer trying to cope with Life.
Thanks, Miguel - it's fantastic to have an expert in the group here.
Robb, you're a moron.
She's quite correct - pure communication is the key to it all.
Thanks for your expert opinion, Gump. If you're going to trash other people, maybe it's an idea to not commit the same offense? Just an idea.
Here you go (mmm...baby feet...SO SWEET! :-), 'Dr. Sanchez;' I'll let you make your own assessment. ;-)
You're as bad as that ass clown Robb. What are your qualitications? It's not that I necessarily agree with Sanchez (though Temple Grandin has said the same thing, and I would trust her opinion), but if any of us is allowed to express a non-expert opinion then that must be extended to everyone else.
I'm not surprised by Robb, as he has tried to present himself as an expert on everything (especially photography) without bothering to give us any details about his professional qualifications. He doesn't even have an account. I suspect he, Kabel whatever, and Anonymous are all the same. Their messages all have the same tone.
Thanks for posting this, TC and EO.
Actually, I am an expert on a number of things - especially photography and imaging.
And where is it written that one has to provide a resume or CV to Dave Nielsen on a blog?
And I'm not a moron, if you knew the definition, you would understand, Davey. No idea who the Kabel character is, but somebody agrees with my mindset.
Calling me an ass clown shows just how low YOU are.
Best regards.
Besides, how do you know I'm not just instigating...? :-)
Dave Nielsen's profile returns the following:
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Robb in Houston said...
"TC[Girl]: thanks for your analysis and post; I think you nailed it down perfectly."
You're welcome, Robb [w/2 b's!] :-D Not sure I "nailed" anything much, though; (can't seem to find a hammer, around here, that indicates I did! lol! ;-) am just finding this a helpful research project, for myself, and wanted to pass on whatever info. I could 'cuz I know how prevalent it seems to be, these days.
@Miserere: Thanks so much for your input. I really appreciate it and have also come to understand much of what you are writing about re: the helping to cope. What a wonderful gift to those who really struggle w/it. And I agree w/you: it is a WAY FASCINATING subject! I thought neurology was fascinating but...whoa! I'm "digging" this quite a LOT! And...thank you for the recommendation of the movie. Looks good.
@Dave Nielsen: Chill! I was merely having a little light-hearted "fun" w/Miguel re: his comment; nothing else.
@Anna: [I'll take partial credit and say] you're welcome, Anna. Hope you found/find the information as useful as I have.
In Daniel's 'Embracing the Wide Sky,' I noticed, today, that there are a "mere" 5 PAGES to his Bibliography! How that dude manages to address ALL this, in a 260-paged book, I'll be curious to discover! I'm only in the 2nd chapter and finding it very interesting (I bet "you-ALL" (as in...not just Anna! ;-) would, too; he writes about how IQ is tested.). Definitely more "meaty" than his first book and memoir.
And whoa! Just looked on Temple Grandin's (Miguel: thanks for bringing Temple back to the subject; I would have completely forgotten about her, had you not mentioned her!) site and she has several books, herself! Somehow, I don't think that I will run out of research material very soon!
@Dave Nielsen & Robb in Houston:
Now, now, boys; sit up straight and eat your vegetables! No more fighting! :-D
@TC[Girl]:
"Yes, dear!" :-)
@Robb: ain't that supposed to be "Mom"?! lol! ;-)
Temple Grandin recognized at Emmys for being the inspiration and subject of the 'Outstanding Made for Television Movie' HBO biopic, 'Temple Grandin.'
'How to Recognize Early Signs of Autism'
Well, seeing Dave's talents at communicating with others, I think it's clear that HE is not autistic.
Just suffering from a terminal case of ad hominem morbid rudeness, perhaps? ;-p
No known cure for THIS, either. I should know: I'm a graduated MD. B-)
"Trust my expertise, and buy all my books." ;-)
"You're as bad as that ass clown Robb."
So many mistakes there... Where to start?
The name of the ass clown is Ace Ventura, pet detective.
And he's not bad at all, he's brilliant. Has a baaad case of chirophobia, but apart from hating Chikaka, he's ace. Like the name said.
Speaking of names, TC stands for "Top Cat". Get the hint?...
Trust me, you wouldn't like to face her roar.
"I suspect he, Kabel whatever, and Anonymous are all the same. Their messages all have the same tone."
Well, no offense, but I think you're *slightly* tone-deaf. Some unsigned "Anonymous" comments were very civil... and pertinent!
"Anonymous" is like "white noise": all frequencies meet under that vast label.
"Now, now, boys; sit up straight and eat your vegetables!"
Don't forget your fish nuggets. Fish is good for growing brains. :-)
Pascal said...
"Speaking of names, TC stands for "Top Cat". Get the hint?..."
It's a Leo thing. :-)
"Trust me, you wouldn't like to face her roar."
Yeah...I get like that, sometimes...when I'm really thirsty! :-D
Incredibly, I just found 'The Horse Boy' documentary, on uboob, for anyone who might be interested... I find it very fascinating...and...a follow-up book is being released, this month, in the UK and Australia... Hope you enjoy...
More from Rupert Isaacson, Founder of 'Horse Boy Therapy.'
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